Happily Ever After: Celebrating Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

In Happily Ever After: Celebrating Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Susannah Fullerton looks at the tourism and merchandise connected with this classic book, at the illustrations and covers which have accompanied it, and at the reasons for its lasting popularity. Discover why the world so loves Pride and Prejudice.

“The best way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice is to read the novel. Reading it with Fullerton as a guide is an excellent way to enrich the celebration. In this witty, intelligent book Fullerton offers detailed chapters on the composition and publication of Austen’s “darling child”, reactions to the novel, the famous first sentence, and Austen’s style, followed by five chapters on Austen’s characters, before turning to surveys of translations, illustrations, book covers, sequels and adaptations, film and theatrical version, and memorabilia. I especially enjoyed her analysis of that beloved opening sentence.” Sarah Emsley, Writer and Editor “Fullerton’s clear-sighted attention to the sheer enjoyment of reading Pride and Prejudice is a reminder of how consistently the novel’s most minor details repay attention … but Fullerton also casts a more appraising eye over the more eccentric and dubious aspects of the novel’s perpetuity.” Alicia Rix, Times Literary Supplement “What makes Happily Ever After stand out … The answer is that it’s an intelligent and generous companion to Pride and Prejudice: its author and her era, characters, language, reception, adaptations and industry. It is erudite, clear and enthusiastic. Even the most dedicated Austen specialist will find new facts to ponder.” Damon Young, author and philosopher, The Saturday Age “astute and an eye-opener” The Lady magazine “Opening the pages of this very attractive. copiously illustrated collection of essays. I was excited to discover new insights into the book I love so much… Overall, this is a lovely book that looks at Pride and Prejudice from a wide range of intriguing perspectives, bringing us right up to the modern day with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and the action figures die hard fans can buy to create their own Jane Austen worlds at home! I feel enlightened by it, and I think that understanding more of the context surrounding the novel has certainly enriched my appreciation of what a wonderful book it is.” Rachel, Book Snob “It’s rare that you come across a book, completely dedicated to Pride and Prejudice, that truly delves into it in a way that is both academic and entertaining. This is that book.” Jennifer Duke, The Bennet Sisters